GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization commends US President Donald Trump for “taking responsibility” for leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a virtual press briefing today in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the UN health agency has called repeatedly for heads of state to lead a “whole-of-government” response to the new coronavirus.
“That’s exactly what he’s doing which we appreciate because fighting this pandemic needs political commitment,” Tedros says, referring to Trump.
Tedros has previously warned that countries taking measures to lock down their societies must use the time wisely to implement other aggressive interventions, including widespread testing and efforts to track down the virus’ transmission chains. WHO and other experts say it could be months before the outbreak peaks and loosening such controls too soon could allow the virus to resurge.
Yesterday, Trump suggested the lockdown measures in the US might be lifted by Easter and predicted there would be “packed churches” across the country.
“I know he’s doing all he can,” Tedros says, noting he and Trump spoke recently. “I believe that kind of political commitment and political leadership can bring change or can stop this pandemic.”
— AP
US President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Briefing Room, March 24, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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